Baidu isn't quite China's Google.
百度(Baidu)还不能说是中国的谷歌(Google)。
China's Internet giant has managed to replicate Google's dominance of Internet search, with 85% of the market by traffic in the first quarter, according to web analysis firm iResearch. But with rivals vying for control of the gateway to search in web browsers and smartphones, that dominance can't be taken for granted.
这家中国互联网巨头复制了谷歌在互联网搜索市场的主导地位。据网络分析公司艾瑞咨询(iResearch)的数据,按流量计算,一季度百度在搜索市场占有85%的份额。不过,在竞争对手们纷纷争夺网络浏览器和智能手机搜索通路的控制权的情况下,百度的主导地位并非高枕无忧。
The clear and present danger comes from online upstart Qihoo 360 Technology QIHU +4.33% . Earlier this month, Qihoo launched its own search function and made it the default option on its popular browser. The most obvious loser is Google, which until now was Qihoo's default search provider. But Baidu also stands to lose market share.
一个显而易见也是迫在眉睫的危险来自网络后起之秀奇虎360科技有限公司(Qihoo 360 Technology)。上个月,奇虎360推出了自己的搜索服务,并将之设置为其颇受欢迎的浏览器上的默认搜索选项。在奇虎360的这番举动中,最明显的输家是谷歌,在此之前,谷歌一直是奇虎360的默认搜索引擎。不过,百度也可能失去部分市场份额。
With more than a decade of experience in search, Baidu has quality on its side. In 2011, it outspent Qihoo on research and development by more than three to one. It's difficult to believe that the new kid on the block will be able to compete on performance.
百度在互联网搜索领域拥有10余年的经验,质量是它的优势。2011年,百度的研发支出比奇虎360高出两倍有余。很难相信搜索领域的“毛头小子”能够在搜索性能上与百度相抗衡。
But with more than 20% of China's browser market, Qihoo has a powerful distribution network. That doesn't guarantee success. Tencent Holdings' TCEHY +0.53% hundreds of millions of instant messenger users haven't translated into market share for its search function. But assuming at least some users are too lazy to change the default, Qihoo should gain some search-market traction.
不过,凭借其在中国浏览器市场逾20%的份额,奇虎360拥有强大的分销网络。但这并不能保证奇虎360能在搜索市场取得成功。腾讯控股有限公司(Tencent Holdings)拥有数亿即时通讯用户,但这并没有使其搜索服务所占市场份额大幅扩张。不过,假如一些用户懒得改变默认设置,奇虎360应该能够在搜索市场夺取一定的份额。
Investors aren't taking any chances. Baidu's stock price has fallen 16% from its mid-August high. Qihoo's stock is up nearly the same amount over the same period. That seems like an overreaction to the immediate threat. But even if Baidu manages to see off Qihoo, the sneak attack is a reminder that dominance can't be taken for granted.
但投资者则相当谨慎。百度股价较8月中旬的高点跌了16%,同期奇虎360股价则上涨了几乎同样的幅度。这看似是对即刻的威胁反应过度了。不过,就算百度能够击败奇虎360,奇虎360的偷袭也提醒人们主导地位并不是天经地义的。
Google has spent big on developing its own Chrome browser - now the most used in the world, according to web analytics company StatCounter - and Android mobile operating system. That has been expensive. But that means that it controls the routes into search from computer and smartphone. Google+ hasn't enjoyed the same success but shows it is responding to the threat from social search as well.
谷歌一直在斥巨资开发自己的Chrome浏览器和安卓(Android)移动操作系统。据网络分析公司StatCounter的数据,Chrome目前是全球使用最多的浏览器。谷歌的这类研发花费不菲,但这也意味着谷歌能对电脑和智能手机搜索的通路拥有控制权。谷歌社交网站Google+则没有这么成功,但也显示出正在对来自社交搜索的威胁做出反应。
Baidu, by contrast, has been relatively timid in expanding beyond the core search business. Its PC browser has attracted relatively few users. Its social offering got the cold shoulder from China's Internet users. Market share in mobile search is below that for PCs, though Baidu is moving aggressively to turn that around.
与此相反,百度对其核心搜索业务之外领域的涉猎一直相对谨小慎微。百度个人电脑浏览器吸引的用户数量相对而言微乎其微,其社交网站则受到中国互联网用户的冷遇。百度在移动搜索市场的份额低于在个人电脑搜索市场的份额,不过百度正在积极扭转这一局面。
Qihoo's smash-and-grab raid might not have a lasting effect, but it shows Baidu is vulnerable to those who control the pathways to search.
奇虎360的袭击可能不会产生持久的效果,但这却显示出在那些控制着搜索通路的公司面前,百度也是有弱点的。